The MDC-T party last week lodged an appeal at the Electoral Court after disgruntled contestants who failed to make it past the primary elections opted to stand as independents, citing irregularities during the internal selection process.
Through the appeal, the MDC-T had hoped to stop all those vying for the House of Assembly and local authority seats from using the logo that, the party argues, is a duplication of its own.
The difference between the disputed logo and that of the party (pictured) is said to be that the face of the independent candidate will be positioned inside a slightly slanting open palm. Everything else is similar, with some even using MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai’s face on their campaign posters.
MDC-T officials have said those who have refused to withdraw from standing either as independents or have misrepresented themselves as the party’s choice, have expelled themselves from the party.
This follows allegations that nine former Chitungwiza councillors successfully filed their papers at the Nomination Court after forging a senior official’s signature.
But the Independents, who have since formed an interim structure to direct their operations under the banner of Independent Candidates Coalition, said they were not perturbed by press reports that they had been fired from the party.
Speaking to SW Radio Africa just after their meeting held in Gweru Tuesday, former Magwegwe MP, Felix Mafa, said talk about their “so-called dismissal was illegal.”
“We are still members of the MDC-T. No-one has communicated with us officially about that or summoned us to any hearing. So we are forging ahead with our preparations for elections and to campaign for our party leader Morgan Tsvangirai, who hasn’t indicated that he doesn’t need our vote,” Mafa said.
Mafa said they were still waiting for Tsvangirai to address their grievances “so that those who were imposed can step aside to enable the rightful winners to represent the party.
“At today’s meeting, we were mapping out a strategy to direct our operations as independents. Our common grievance is that the so-called primaries were pre-determined and a circus,” he said.
Asked about the modified logo, Mafa said no-one had a monopoly on the symbol: “The MDC logo just like the name is part of the people’s project. In the past we have had ZAPU PF, PF ZAPU, ZANU PF, and ZANU NDONGA so there is nothing new there.”
Mafa dismissed fears that their use of MDC-T logo would cause confusion on polling day and lead to vote splitting, with party supporters mistakenly casting their votes for the independents.
“But why would people be confused by that, when the presence of MDC-T, MDC-M, MDC, MDC-99 hasn’t caused any confusion? The MDC is a revolutionary people’s project which can’t be owned by anyone. A 10% difference in the logos or names is still a difference.
“If people are worried about any confusion arising, they should educate their supporters. In any case there is a symbol, a picture and a name and how can that possibly be confusing, Mafa added.
The Gweru meeting was attended by 20 prospective MPs and 10 local government hopefuls, with Aaron Chinhara elected as chairperson of the group, Prince Dube secretary, Tedius Chimombe organising secretary and Hope Zuda treasurer. – SW Radio Africa News
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